Faculty & Research Interests

Dr. Amachawadi’s research interests are in antimicrobial resistance among gut commensals and foodborne pathogens of swine and cattle production systems. Specifically, on understanding the mechanisms involved in the propagation and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and on the role of non-antibiotic alternatives in contribution and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in gut bacteria, and on microbiome and metagenomics analyses of the gut of cattle and swine. His research interests also include both aerobic and or anaerobic bacterial flora of liver abscesses and its prevention in feedlot cattle.

Dr. Cernicchiaro research focus is on veterinary epidemiology, food safety, zoonoses and production medicine. Research interests include the application of epidemiological concepts and methods, including multi-level modeling and knowledge synthesis and translation techniques to design, implement and interpret observational and experimental studies pertaining to food safety, zoonoses, arthropod-borne diseases and production medicine. Current research projects include understanding the distribution and determinants of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli non-O157, Salmonella and respiratory disease organisms in cattle and cattle production systems.

The development of therapeutic small molecules against various viruses including noroviruses, influenza virus and rotaviruses within vitro screening system and animal models such as (gnotobiotic) pigs and mice.

Research EntomologistUS Dept of AgricultureAdjunct Professor/Graduate FacultyEntomology and Public Health

Dr. Cohnstaedt’s research focuses on mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogens such as Rift Valley fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. He also studies methods to reduce biting midge (culicoides) transmitted epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue virus transmission on cervid farms. The lab uses both field and lab projects to determine the best methods to reduce disease transmission by mosquito and biting midge disease vectors. Current projects include novel pathogen and insect surveillance methods to determine when and where to apply newly developed vector control methods. In silica, projects include population genetic and phylogenetic studies on a national scale using a genotyping by sequencing (GBS) approach, combining genetic studies with geographic information systems analysis to associate molecular markers to specific mosquito traits and animal damage.

The primary focus of my research has involved mechanisms of innate immunity in horses. The current series of investigations involves examining the mechanism of immune activation with specific DNA sequences called CpG DNA. We are examining how bacterial DNA induces these responses and which sequences are the most effective at inducing immune activation. The ultimate goal of such investigations will be to use CpG DNA in combination with vaccine antigens so that we can safely and effectively make vaccines more powerful. Investigations will utilize cellular proliferation, cytokine gene expression and molecular cloning and sequencing assays.

I am a veterinary pathologist focused on both independent research projects and supporting the Center of Excellence for Emerging Zoonotic Animal Diseases. I have active collaborations with multiple NIH investigators. My research focuses on visualizing host-pathogen interactions for agents including Influenza A virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus and Pneumocystis spp as well as development of in vitro systems that better model aspects of in vivo infections. This work leverages both traditional pathology and advanced microscopy techniques including multi-label immunofluorescence, electron, confocal and digital microscopy. I have trained people in immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and digital microscopy techniques. If you worked with me, you would most likely use one or more of these techniques in your summer research project.

The group studies the interaction, stabilization and delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics and proteins by nanoparticles, with a particular interest in their anti-cancer, biochemical and immunological activity.

Dr. Drolet’s research focuses on insect-transmitted diseases of livestock and wildlife, such as bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, vesicular stomatitis, and Rift Valley fever viruses. Her research includes developing arboviral immunodiagnostics, conducting animal pathogenesis and vector competence studies, investigating the molecular interactions between arboviruses and their mammalian and insect hosts, and determining the effects of insect vector saliva on mammalian immune responses and arbovirus infection following bite transmission.

My primary research interest is in emerging and zoonotic diseases and includes diagnostics, vaccines, molecular microbiology and molecular epidemiology to develop effective countermeasures. My current research involves a variety of pathogens of zoonotic and agricultural importance such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and prions (scrapie and chronic wasting disease) and focuses on diagnostics, vaccines and molecular virology. I extensively use recombinant baculovirus expression system as a platform for expression of specific pathogen proteins for use in research in diagnostics and subunit vaccines.

Dr. Fang has been deeply involved in the study of molecular pathogenesis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Current research program is expending to other viral pathogens. Her research interests have been focused on understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, and applying this knowledge to develop strategies for the diagnoses, prevention and treatment of viral disease. The laboratory has well established technologies and pig model system for vaccine and diagnostic assay development.

Dr. Fleming’s research focuses on the innate immune response and understanding the mechanisms of an excessive response during sterile injury such as surgery or pre-eclampsia. Importantly, we are determining the role of sex on the innate response and the ability of small therapeutics to inhibit the excessive response without inhibiting the total immune response. An additional project examines the ability of the small therapeutics to inhibit melanoma growth.

Dr. Herrin’s primary research objectives are focused on the epidemiology and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Some of his recent interests are the epidemiology Lyme borreliosis in humans and dogs in North America, evaluation of diagnostic assays for tick-borne diseases, and surveillance of ticks and tick-borne diseases of horses. Although his research focus is on ticks, Dr. Herrin enjoys working with all parasites of veterinary importance through the diagnostic service and teaching/outreach opportunities.

Dr. Hulbert's research is focused on the development and validation of automated technologies to monitor health and welfare of domestic animals, understanding the effects of early-life stressors on nutritive and non-nutritive oral behaviors and immunity in calves, improving resilience to stressors and immunocomptence through housing, management, and feeding strategies in calves and pigs, and determining biomarkers of stress and inflammation for predicting and identifying disease.

Dr. Kim is interested in the development of therapeutic agents for small animal viral diseases including feline infectious peritonitis and feline calicivirus infection as well as understanding the role of host cellular proteases in viral pathogenesis.

Dr. Lin’s research is focused on the development and application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for veterinary drugs in food animals to predict tissue residues and withdrawal times.

My research interest is in the field of Gut Microbiology of cattle and swine, particularly on the role of microbes in gut function and dysfunction. Currently, my laboratory is involved in the following research areas: Foodborne pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,Salmonella, and Campylobacter, and antimicrobial resistance of gut bacteria in cattle and swine; bacterial flora of liver abscesses, virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms of Fusobacterium necrophorum, with the long term goal of developing an efficacious vaccine.

Dr. Niederwerder's laboratory is focused on investigating viral diseases of swine, including the role of the microbiome in outcome following viral infection and the risks for viral introduction and transmission.

Dr. Renter’s research emphasizes the application and extension of epidemiologic principles and methods to enhance health and disease management. His outcomes-based research enables valid data-driven decisions to improve animal health/well-being, food safety, production efficiency, and economic viability of health systems.

My laboratory is interested in ticks and tick-borne diseases. We use a combination of in vitro and in vivo experimental models to study the determinants of pathogen infection in the tick vector, and how these infection determinants ultimately effect pathogen transmission from the tick. Projects in the lab range from basic to applied research, including: examining mechanisms of pathogen entry into tick host cells, ecological drivers of bovine anaplasmosis, and evaluation of novel tick repellents. The tick-borne pathogens we commonly work with are Anaplasma spp, Ehrlichia spp. Rickettsia spp, and Francisella spp.

The broad focus of my research is the application of Epidemiologic principles, Analytical Methods, Risk Assessment and Simulation Modeling to disease risk and facilitate decision making in Beef Production systems. Much of this research has focused on the epidemiology and ecology of beef safety and security particularly related to E. coli O157 and other shiga-toxin producing E. coli. We also have potential risk assessment and modeling projects in Bovine Respiratory Disease, BVD, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr. Jishu Shi’s research programs focus on the development of novel vaccine technologies for animal infectious diseases. His team is currently evaluating novel adjuvants and strategies for vaccines targeting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza virus, porcine circovirus, and avian influenza virus. In addition, his team is also investigating the molecular mechanisms of IL-1beta release from macrophages and the role of IL-1beta in macrophage-cancer stem cell interactions.

My research focuses on the tumor microenvironment, specifically cancer cell interactions with extracellular matrix. My focus is in two major areas, 1) how extracellular matrix-tumor cell interactions affects lymphoma and leukemia trafficking and tissue infiltration and 2) how structural changes to adipose tissue during obesity promotes the development of cancer.

We will be conducting research on cattle. The research will be food safety studies that will include direct challenge models and natural infection studies. We will also be working with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex. Lastly, we are developing a web based Spanish/English training site for feedyard workers.

My research is focused on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes; the interactions between the virus, mosquito vector, and vertebrate host. Our multidisciplinary research encompasses both basic molecular virology and applied research: novel vaccine development/evaluation, diagnostics, and virus transmission potential in vectors and hosts. Current research projects include: Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses.

I research epidemiology and drivers of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Specific focuses are how the usage of antimicrobials, their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics affect resistance in the treated pathogen or by-stander commensal bacteria in the treated host; quantifying antimicrobial use for raising farm animals; monitoring of resistance from food safety perspective; and preventing transmission of resistant bacteria between animals and humans.

Dr. Weiss' research focus is on stem cell biotechnology. His lab successfully produced various stem cell lines such as rat embryonic stem cells and cells derived from umbilical chord or other tissues with the intent of using this technology to advance cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. His lab is focused upon producing promising cellular therapeutics for regenerative medicine.

Dr. Wilson’s research focuses on using molecular evolution, biochemical and genomic approaches to understand the interactions of arboviruses with their mammalian and invertebrate hosts. This work has also led to the development of diagnostic and control strategies. His current research is directed toward developing early detection/characterization and countermeasures for arboviruses affecting livestock and wildlife.

Characterization of biochemical and molecular mechanisms, and management of insecticide resistance, toxicogenomic analysis of pesticide effect on target and non-target organisms, studies on mechanisms of action of insecticides.